Monthly Archives: April 2018

April 27, 2018: A weekly scan of new legislation and regulations important to the Ontario health sector, as well as articles of interest.

Bills

No new bills of interest.

Status of Previously Reported Bills

Bill

Status

Bill 14 – Personal Information Protection Act, 2018

Before the Standing Committee on Justice Policy.

Bill 31 – Plan for Care and Opportunity Act (Budget Measures), 2018

Consideration of a Bill on April 26, 2018.

Bill 52 – Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions Act, 2018

Before the Standing Committee on Social Policy.

Bill PR79 – Kingston Health Sciences Centre Act, 2018

Ordered for Second Reading on April 11, 2018.

Proposed Regulations

Prescribed Therapies Regulation under the Psychotherapy Act, 2007

The College of Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Mental Health Therapists of Ontario (“CRPO”) is proposing under the Psychotherapy Act, 2007 a regulation that would allow Council to make regulations prescribing therapies involving the practice of psychotherapy, governing the use of prescribed therapies, and prohibiting the use of therapies other than the prescribed therapies in the course of the practice of psychotherapy. This new regulation would apply to all Registered Psychotherapists, both in the provision of the controlled act, as part of the practice of psychotherapy and in the broader scope of practice.

April 20, 2018: A weekly scan of new legislation and regulations important to the Ontario health sector, as well as articles of interest.

BILLS

Bill 31 – Plan for Care and Opportunity Act (Budget Measures), 2018

Introduced by Hon. Charles Sousa, Minister of Finance. The Bill is in Second Reading debate.

The Bill amends several Acts. Most relevant to our clients is the amendment to the Hospital Labour Disputes Arbitration Act which would deem Canadian Blood Services as a “hospital” for the purposes of that Act. The changes acknowledge the integral services that Canadian Blood Services deliver in Ontario affecting patients, and therefore, it is in the public interest that employee strikes and lockouts be replaced with an arbitration process when resolving employee disputes.

Introduced by Teresa M. Armstrong, MPP (London–Fanshawe) – Critic, Anti-Racism Directorate; Critic, Home and Long-Term Care; Deputy Third Party Whip; Critic, Seniors’ Affairs; New Democratic Party of Ontario. The second reading of the Bill was carried on April 19, 2018, and it was referred to the Standing Committee on Social Policy.

The Bill establishes the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions. The Bill sets out the functions and duties of the Minister (see s. 4).

Introduced by Cindy Forster, MPP (Welland) – Caucus Chair; Critic, Labour, Fairness and Work; New Democratic Party of Ontario. The first reading of the Bill was carried on April 16, 2018.

The Bill requires operators of a supportive living accommodation to hold a licence issued by the Minister and fulfill certain obligations under the Act. Supportive living accommodation is defined under s. 2(1) as residential premises where four or more persons, who are not related to the operator, reside and receive assistance with the activities of daily living from, or as arranged by, the operator. Supportive living accommodation requirements to hold a license under this Act do not include the operation of various premises, including long-term care homes, private and public hospitals, retirement homes, etc.

April 20, 2018: A weekly scan of new legislation and regulations important to the Ontario health sector, as well as articles of interest.

BILLS

Bill 31 – Plan for Care and Opportunity Act (Budget Measures), 2018

Introduced by Hon. Charles Sousa, Minister of Finance. The Bill is in Second Reading debate.

The Bill amends several Acts. Most relevant to our clients is the amendment to the Hospital Labour Disputes Arbitration Act which would deem Canadian Blood Services as a “hospital” for the purposes of that Act. The changes acknowledge the integral services that Canadian Blood Services deliver in Ontario affecting patients, and therefore, it is in the public interest that employee strikes and lockouts be replaced with an arbitration process when resolving employee disputes.

Introduced by Teresa M. Armstrong, MPP (London–Fanshawe) – Critic, Anti-Racism Directorate; Critic, Home and Long-Term Care; Deputy Third Party Whip; Critic, Seniors’ Affairs; New Democratic Party of Ontario. The second reading of the Bill was carried on April 19, 2018, and it was referred to the Standing Committee on Social Policy.

The Bill establishes the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions. The Bill sets out the functions and duties of the Minister (see s. 4).

Introduced by Cindy Forster, MPP (Welland) – Caucus Chair; Critic, Labour, Fairness and Work; New Democratic Party of Ontario. The first reading of the Bill was carried on April 16, 2018.

The Bill requires operators of a supportive living accommodation to hold a licence issued by the Minister and fulfill certain obligations under the Act. Supportive living accommodation is defined under s. 2(1) as residential premises where four or more persons, who are not related to the operator, reside and receive assistance with the activities of daily living from, or as arranged by, the operator. Supportive living accommodation requirements to hold a license under this Act do not include the operation of various premises, including long-term care homes, private and public hospitals, retirement homes, etc.

This Bill is reintroduced to establish a presumed consent regime in Ontario. This Bill amends the Trillium Gift of Life Network Act to no longer require consent to be obtained before tissue can be removed from a human body. However, a person may object to the removal of the tissue prior to his or her death or a substitute decision maker may object after the death has occurred. If an objection is made, no tissue shall be removed from the body. TGLN will establish and maintain a registry of such objections.

Introduced by France Gelinas, MPP (Nickel Belt), Opposition, the Bill was carried on First Reading on March 29, 2018.

This Bill is reintroduced to establish a provincial framework to support improved access to hospice palliative care. This Bill enacts the Compassionate Care Act, 2017, which requires the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care to develop the provincial framework. The Act requires the Minister to set out the provincial framework one year after the Bill comes into force, and within 5 years after the report is tabled, the Minister must prepare and table a report on the state of hospice palliative care, which should be published on a Government of Ontario website.

Introduced by Sam Oosterhoff, MPP (Niagara West – Glanbrook), Opposition, the Bill was carried on First Reading on March 29, 2018.

This Bill is reintroduced. This Bill amends the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Act, 1991 to modify the scope of practice of audiology and speech-language pathology. The Bill expands the acts that may be performed by a member of the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologist in the course of engaging in the practice of audiology or speech-language pathology.

Introduced by Sam Oosterhoff (MPP – Niagara West-Glanbrook), Opposition, the Bill was carried on First Reading on March 29, 2018.

Rowan’s Law (Concussion Safety), 2018 was passed on March 6, 2018. This new legislation will protect amateur athletes by improving concussion safety on the field and at school. It establishes mandatory requirements for annual review of concussion awareness resources that athletes, coaches, educators and parents are required to review before registering in a sport; removal from sport and return to sport protocol to ensure athletes are immediately removed from sport if they are suspected of having sustained concussion; and a concussion code of conduct that would set out rules of behaviour to minimize concussions while playing sports.

The Act is not into effect yet, except for Rowan’s Law Day, which will take place on September 28, 2018.

The government is interested in seeking input from multiple sector partners and the general public through consultation to develop the regulations to support the legislation. Once the feedback is received, the Government will draft regulations which will be posted for additional input.